Labour councillors have rejected plans to give Haringey residents a greater say in local services. At Monday’s Full Council meeting they voted down Liberal Democrats budget amendments to devolve Haringey Council’s planning functions to four area planning committees and take formal council meetings ‘on the road’.

Liberal Democrats say that the rejection is a clear example of Labour talking the talk but failing to act, wasting millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money, and shying away from greater accountability.

Labour councillors also failed to meet the Liberal Democrat challenge of a Council Tax freeze in the next financial year to help residents deal with the effects of the recession.

Liberal Democrat Leader, Cllr Robert Gorrie, comments:

“We provided proposals to empower residents by devolving planning decisions and services and by taking council and its business out around the Borough – all paid for by reductions in Council waste and excessive allowances to councillors.

“The rejection of these plans is another example of Labour shying away from accountability. Like Labour nationally they continue to centralise power and decision-making and would rather keep residents at arms length than trust local people by giving them a greater say in their local services.

“Last night Labour rejected an opportunity to avoid £6.8 million of expenditure. They continue, ostrich-like, with their heads buried in the sand hoping that the effects of the economic downturn do not affect Haringey.”

Lynne Featherstone, MP, adds:

“It is disappointing that Labour failed to respond the financial crisis affecting the lives of hundreds of local residents.Residents have to tighten their belts and it is only right that Haringey Council should do the same.”